And for a moment, I understand that I have friends on this lonely path; that sometimes your place is not something you find, but something you have when you need it.
― Libba Bray, Rebel Angels

 

Hello Friends!

As witnessed by the above photo, Yeti Cat and I enjoyed a quiet Solstice meditation and lit a candle to mark the time of Solstice. Usually Yeti is wandering the house on his own at 4am in the morning, but he seemed open to me sharing this quiet time with him.

Our little white dog, Lulu Belle the Bandit Queen, has been enjoying lots of walks these dark days. Since she has a skin condition, Discoid Lupus, which prevents her from safely enjoying sunshine, I have a new appreciation for early sunsets and sunless days because it’s so easy to find good times to walk with her!

In general this week I find myself noticing the difference mindset makes. While I’m not suggesting that you try to force yourself to feel a different way about darkness, or anything really, I do find it interesting what a difference context can make to my interpretation of similar circumstances. Ok, I’ll dare to say it: while I have the utmost compassion for everyone suffering from seasonal depression caused by too little sunlight… I am finding myself secretly and quietly loving the darkness this year. I wish you all surprising blessings during our unusual holiday season!

You’ll also notice that I’m avoiding the “New Year, New You” type of newsletter. I love you the way you are. What I wish for you in the New Year isn’t for you to change yourself; if anything I hope your appreciation of yourself grows. I wish happiness and health for you.

I have also taken the morning to catch up on bookwork. For those of you paying me personally for classes not offered through studios, I have created a Google Doc to keep records of it and shared them with you. Let me know if you’re having trouble finding it, or if you have any questions.

Much Love,

Elle

Schedule for Week of Dec. 28th

Contact me with any questions!

Monday

8:15 am All Levels – Infinity Yoga

• Register Here
  • Pay with Infinity Card or call  507-453-7941

Wednesday

7:45am Yoga with Elle Zoom Class

• Register Here
• Donate here.
  • If you’re wondering what to contribute, consider paying the same amount you’d pay if this class were at your usual studio. As always, these classes are offered on a pay what you can, if you can basis.

6pm All Levels – Root River Zoom

Thursday

7:15am All Levels – Root River Zoom

Friday

7:45 am All Levels – Infinity Yoga

• Register Here
  • Pay with Infinity Card or call  507-453-7941

Yoga Videos and Meditation

As always, these are shared with you under the category “pay what you can, if you can.” Here’s the link to PayPal your support: https://www.paypal.me/ElleNewman11

 

Root River Yoga on Zoom

Consider joining me and a great group of students for a Root River class and support an amazing studio that serves rural SE MN. Register for classes and learn more about Root River Yoga here.

Wednesday

6:00-7:00pm All Levels

Thursday

7:15-8:15am All Levels
*You’re invited to stay online after class for coffee/tea and a chat.

Ways to Keep Connected

• Follow Yoga with Elle on Facebook
• Email me at ellenewman11+yoga@gmail.com with any questions.
• Ask to join the private Facebook group.
• Receive this newsletter in your email by signing up here.

“My old grandmother always used to say, Summer friends will melt away like summer snows, but winter friends are friends forever.”
― George R.R. Martin, A Feast for Crows

Hello Friends!

Gretchen Mulkey has continued to create beautiful windows and I so appreciate it! It could easily feel sad looking at the darkened studio where we used to all practice together, but who could feel sad looking at these Gingerbread Men? Not me!

I feel like I’m not great at writing inspirational emails about finding the light in the darkness because I am never sure how they will land or how appropriate the message is for the recipient. And in general, I tend to shy away from writing wise things that seem to imply me having life all figured out because it feels disingenuous. I have experienced the power of gratitude practices in my life, but I have also experienced the harm of trying to lie to myself and pretend everything was fine when it wasn’t.

I will share a moment that I think of this time of year. In December of 2002 my Mom was just settling into Hospice. And on a morning where the weight of the fact that she was dying very soon was hitting me, I opened a card from a woman I didn’t know who was a friend of my Grandfather. It said, “When it’s dark enough you can see the stars,” a quote by Emerson. On the inside was a short note from her telling me who she was and encouraging me to notice that I had more support than I realized. I remember that feeling of holding tight to the hope that this was true, because in that moment my life felt impossible. And just because I was looking for stars, or trusting that they were there did not make that time easy or enjoyable. But I kept that cheesy card in front of me to remind me to look, and I can honestly say that at every impossible-seeming turn, some kind of help came through. And of course Marion, my Grandfather’s friend, was one of those unexpected lights. Through her stories I got to know a whole other side of Grandpa than the one I knew during his life.

I sincerely hope you are able to see the stars around you now. Well, I hope your life doesn’t seem as dark as mine did that year, but undoubtedly there are things that are hard for you right now. Maybe the solstice tomorrow can remind us all to look for those lights most easily seen in the dark.

I’m sure you know by now that Walz lightened up restrictions a bit in Minnesota. We’re still not holding in person classes at Infinity until at least Jan. 4th. As much as I miss you all, keeping our distance for now feels like the right thing to do to keep everyone safe. I will let you know more when Heather tells me more about when Infinity will open back up and what precautions they will take.

For now, Zoom classes continue. I’m not holding class on Friday Dec. 25th, but will on Jan. 1st, so if you’re looking for a way to ring in 2021, I hope you’ll join us.

Much Love,

Elle

Schedule for Week of Dec. 21st

Contact me with any questions!

Monday Happy Solstice!!!

8:15 am All Levels – Infinity Yoga

• Register Here
  • Pay with Infinity Card or call  507-453-7941

Wednesday

7:45am Yoga with Elle Zoom Class

• Register Here
• Donate here.
  • If you’re wondering what to contribute, consider paying the same amount you’d pay if this class were at your usual studio. As always, these classes are offered on a pay what you can, if you can basis.

6pm All Levels – Root River Zoom

Thursday

7:15am All Levels – Root River Zoom

Friday

Happy Holidays

Yoga Videos and Meditation

As always, these are shared with you under the category “pay what you can, if you can.” Here’s the link to PayPal your support: https://www.paypal.me/ElleNewman11

 

Root River Yoga on Zoom

Consider joining me and a great group of students for a Root River class and support an amazing studio that serves rural SE MN. Register for classes and learn more about Root River Yoga here.

Wednesday

6:00-7:00pm All Levels

Thursday

7:15-8:15am All Levels
*You’re invited to stay online after class for coffee/tea and a chat.

Ways to Keep Connected

• Follow Yoga with Elle on Facebook
• Email me at ellenewman11+yoga@gmail.com with any questions.
• Ask to join the private Facebook group.
• Receive this newsletter in your email by signing up here.

“You’re always you, and that don’t change, and you’re always changing, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
― Neil Gaiman, The Graveyard Book

Hello Friends!

Thank you to everyone who is able to continue their practice on Zoom. Hopefully you are doing this for yourself, but I am so loving staying connected to you! For those of you waiting on video rather than Zoom, this project has gotten a bit slowed down. The short story is that now I’m waiting on my computer to be fixed. Which will also mean I shouldn’t have issues of losing power in the middle of our practices!

As always, reach out with questions or if there’s anything more I can do for you!

Much Love,

Elle

Schedule for Week of Dec. 13th

Contact me with any questions!

Monday

8:15 am All Levels – Infinity Yoga

• Register Here
  • Pay with Infinity Card or call  507-453-7941

Wednesday

7:45am Yoga with Elle Zoom Class

• Register Here
• Donate here.
  • If you’re wondering what to contribute, consider paying the same amount you’d pay if this class were at your usual studio. As always, these classes are offered on a pay what you can, if you can basis.

6pm All Levels – Root River Zoom

Thursday

7:15am All Levels – Root River Zoom

Friday

7:45 am All Levels – Infinity Yoga

• Register Here
  • Pay with Infinity Card or call  507-453-7941

Yoga Videos and Meditation

As always, these are shared with you under the category “pay what you can, if you can.” Here’s the link to PayPal your support: https://www.paypal.me/ElleNewman11

 

Root River Yoga on Zoom

Consider joining me and a great group of students for a Root River class and support an amazing studio that serves rural SE MN. Register for classes and learn more about Root River Yoga here.

Wednesday

6:00-7:00pm All Levels

Thursday

7:15-8:15am All Levels
*You’re invited to stay online after class for coffee/tea and a chat.

Ways to Keep Connected

• Follow Yoga with Elle on Facebook
• Email me at ellenewman11+yoga@gmail.com with any questions.
• Ask to join the private Facebook group.
• Receive this newsletter in your email by signing up here.

You get what anybody gets – you get a lifetime.
― Neil Gaiman, Sandman Vol. 1

Hello my friends,

Thank you to everyone who’s reached out to let me know how they’re doing, and of course it’s so awesome to see some of you at Zoom practices. For anyone waiting on videos, that is still in the works. Currently I’m waiting on a computer repair, but don’t worry, I can use Brett’s machine for classes this week.

If you have any questions, or there’s anything I can do for you please reach out.

Much Love,

Elle

Schedule for Week of Dec. 6th

Contact me with any questions!

Monday

8:15 am All Levels – Infinity Yoga

• Register Here
  • Pay with Infinity Card or call  507-453-7941

Wednesday

7:45am Yoga with Elle Zoom Class

• Register Here
• Donate here.
  • If you’re wondering what to contribute, consider paying the same amount you’d pay if this class were at your usual studio. As always, these classes are offered on a pay what you can, if you can basis.

6pm All Levels – Root River Zoom

Thursday

7:15am All Levels – Root River Zoom

Friday

7:45 am All Levels – Infinity Yoga

• Register Here
  • Pay with Infinity Card or call  507-453-7941

Yoga Videos and Meditation

As always, these are shared with you under the category “pay what you can, if you can.” Here’s the link to PayPal your support: https://www.paypal.me/ElleNewman11

 

Root River Yoga on Zoom

Consider joining me and a great group of students for a Root River class and support an amazing studio that serves rural SE MN. Register for classes and learn more about Root River Yoga here.

Wednesday

6:00-7:00pm All Levels

Thursday

7:15-8:15am All Levels
*You’re invited to stay online after class for coffee/tea and a chat.

Ways to Keep Connected

• Follow Yoga with Elle on Facebook
• Email me at ellenewman11+yoga@gmail.com with any questions.
• Ask to join the private Facebook group.
• Receive this newsletter in your email by signing up here.